“Dear Compatriots,
Greeks around the world,
I am very happy that the great feast of Orthodoxy, Easter, gives me the opportunity to communicate once again with you, the Diaspora Greeks, in every corner of the world, who live and flourish abroad, having Greece always in your hearts and souls. Your prosperity and progress in the field that each of you has chosen makes us very proud.
Easter, the celebration of the Joyous Resurrection of the Lord, is a day of exaltation for us. Following the martyrdom of the Passion, death is defeated and the Cross becomes a symbol of hope.
This is the hope that kept us united and strong during the past year – one of the most difficult years in recent history. This time last year, we were forced, due to the worldwide pandemic, to celebrate in isolation from our loved ones, forgoing the overnight services and the local customs that we, as Greeks, honour and maintain. But we were obliged to do so for our fellow human beings and ourselves. In this difficult time, the hope of victory kept us standing.
At Easter this year, the time has come to reap the rewards of this sacrifice. We look with optimism on the spring and we are certain that summer will bring us all closer, as we will be able again to travel and visit our beloved places.
During these Holy days, our thoughts are with those who fought the uneven battle with the invisible enemy of the pandemic and did not make it. Unfortunately, many people lost their lives. But we are also grateful to all those who are on the front line, in hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories, giving hope to the sick and to all of us who now have access to the vaccine as a passport to a new beginning. I ask all of you to continue, with a sense of responsibility, to comply will all preventive measures so that we do not break now that the end of this fight is in sight.
Dear Compatriots,
The word Pascha means pass over. A passing over to a new day, a new start. Let this Easter be, for all of us, the end of this challenge and a new beginning.
I wish a Happy Easter in health and joy to everyone, to you, to your families and loved ones, wherever they may be.”
KONSTANTINOS VLASIS
April 28, 2021